Apple iPad or Google Nexus 7: Which one should you get?

Up until now, the question "should you buy an iPad or [blank]?" was almost always answerable with "iPad unless you don't like Apple." The Amazon Kindle Fire tried to change that equation, but Amazon has been coy about sales numbers, and beyond the U.S. border its content is so anemic it's still closer akin to a paperweight than a tablet. Now Google is taking its shot with the ASUS-manufactured, Google Nexus 7.

The Nexus 7 doesn't bring a compelling reason to "go Google" when considering a tablet purchase like we were hoping. But the hardware and software on the Nexus 7 make it a very interesting piece of gear, and when the price is factored into the equation, there's simply not a better tablet for the money available from anyone, anywhere. Stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and updates direct from Google are icing on the cake. I would recommend the Nexus 7 to anyone and feel good about handing out that advice.

Judged in a vacuum, the new iPad is incredible technology wrapped in gorgeous design at an unbeatable price. Taken in context, the new iPad will appeal most to “firsts.” First-time tablet buyers, first-generation iPad owners looking to upgrade, and first-adopters who simply want the future in their hands today. If any of those describe you, get the new iPad.

With that in mind, does the introduction of a Google branded tablet running the latest, greatest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software stack still offer a better alternative answer to iPad?

Hardware

The iPad is 9.7-inches with a 2048x1536 IPS Retina display at 264 ppi. The larger size makes it heavier to hold for long periods of time, and harder to carry around without a bag. It also allows for a more powerful class of software, and the larger interface makes it easier to use.

The Nexus 7 is 7-inches with a 1280x800 IPS display at 216 ppi. The smaller size makes it ideal to hold for longer periods of time and easier to carry around in jacket pocket if needed. However, 7-inch apps can sometimes be closer akin to smartphone apps than full-sized tablet experiences. And, in fact, Google's using a mix of the two on the Nexus 7; some apps use combinations of smartphone and tablet layouts.

Both are powerhouses, graphically and otherwise, though the iPad can be purchased with up to 64GB of storage while the Nexus 7 maxes out at 16GB.

Software

The iPad currently runs iOS 5.1.1 but will be updated to iOS 6 this fall. It's a mature operating system with most features that most users need. It's designed for the mainstream, however, and what concessions it makes for power users are carefully hidden away from that mainstream. That means, while powerful and easy to use for just about everyone, iOS isn't as flexible or customizable as Android, and not as much fun for geeks.

The Nexus 7 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which keeps all the power and flexibility of previous generations yet promises a new, more "buttery" user experience. It's built by geeks for geeks, with concessions made to the mainstream. That means things can seem simple at first, but there's complexity if you go looking for it. Arguably it's still not as polished or friendly as iOS, but it's far more powerful and customizable.

Both are stable, rich operating systems with more than enough features to fill the needs of any consumer, though iOS still skews towards the mainstream and Android, the power crowd.

Media and apps

The iPad has access to Apple's iTunes ecosystem, which includes iTunes Music, Movies, TV Shows, iBooks, and the App Store. Hands down, iTunes provides the most content, in the most countries, and to this day no one else even comes close. The iPad also has access to a several of the Google Play services, including Books and Music, a lot of Amazon services, including Kindle, and other services. This all adds up to make the iPad unmatchable when it comes to content.

The Nexus 7 is a front end for the Google Play store and is optimized to help you buy and enjoy that content in the best way possible. Google Play offers a robust set services, but is still missing major studios in the U.S. and is perhaps even more anemic than Amazon outside the U.S. If you live in America and are heavily invested in Google, you'll be okay. But you'll probably be okay on the iPad as well.

Both have software markets with hundreds of thousands of apps and games, and both have media stores -- only Apple's media store has more content and is available in many, many more countries.

Price

The iPad starts at $499 for 16GB. If you don't need a Retina display, for $399 you can get last year's iPad 2 at 16GB.

The Nexus 7 is at $199 for 8GB of storage, $249 for 16GB.

The iPad is a good value for the price, but the Nexus 7 has the lowest price.

Conclusion

So which should you get, the Apple iPad or the Google Nexus 7?

Unless you really want something smaller and more portable, or already have a huge investment in Android apps, get the iPad. If you're outside the U.S., it's almost a no-brainer.

If you want a small, inexpensive tablet, or if you just want a tablet that's not made by or connected to Apple, the Google Nexus 7 is the best, most modern option.

Note: If you don't need a tablet today and the smaller form factor interests you, wait until the fall. Apple might just be releasing an iPad mini around about then, and if they do, it'll definitely be something to consider.

I also per-ordered a 16gb Nexus 7 to go along with my iPad 2. I have really been wanting a smaller tablet that could fit in my jacket pocket, but none of the existing 7" Android tabs have been worth the money (i have bought and returned/sold several) - The Nexus 7 seems like its worth the price...

And if The iPad 7.x" comes out and I decide id rather have it, I don't mind selling another Android Tab either! :)

wow. so because you have used 3 android devices that are AT LEAST 2 years old you are qualified to say android is crap? you are just as bad as people who blindly hate apple for being apple. and unless you used a nexus device, you cant really compare android to ios/apple directly anyway.

dont knock something before you use it. it wouldnt be fair with someone with an original 3gs to be complaining about how his phone sucks when the 4 and 4s are massive improvements would it? but fanboys like you can never see past that.

I have the New iPad, a Nook Color and an Acer Iconia Tablet. I won't be buying a Nexus 7. It looks pretty cool but I really have no use for it given the tablets I already have. The Nook Color is the portable 7 inch form factor but that's it's most compelling feature. I use it for reading occasionally but mostly my kids use it to play emulators of old SNES and Genesis games. The Acer is a 10 inch tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich. The lack of tablet apps thing isn't nearly as big of a deal as its made out to be in my opinion. The lack of great games is a problem but most core apps have a tablet version. The difference is where there may be 10 good Twitter iPad apps there will only be 1 or 2 for an Android tablet. You don't get as much choice but the apps are there. Finding them can also be a problem in the Google Play store because things just aren't as well sorted out as iPhone and iPad apps in the App Store. The Nexus 7'could help move Android on tablets along if they can get the word out to regular consumers, like Apple and Amazon both have done.

I still have the original iPad, but would like something lighter and smaller. For me at the moment it is the PlayBook. Many useful apps, excellent OS and UI, and small enough to carry just about anywhere. I am really thinking about upgrading to the new iPad, a local Apple reseller is offering trade in on older iPads for the new iPad. But, I would really love a fully functional iPad "mini."

Putting ICS on a Kindle Fire I had sitting around the house has made it a much more useful and fun device. I find myself grabbing it almost as often as the iPad. The Nexus 7 running JB will bring much better hardware and functionality so its a definite buy. 7 inch form factor is so convenient, it just slides into a pocket or is easily carried with other items in my hand. I find myself grabbing the iPad when I want a specific app, but much more prefer the experience inside of ICS/JB. I am that power user.

you mean its over for the ipod touch. assuming apple even makes a smaller tablet. though if they do, despite old rumours, its a knee-jerk reaction to the nexus 7, as google has never backed a tablet like this before.

and even if you did settle for an ipad mini, to get it even remotely close to the nexus 7 in pricing, you'll be ditching the camera (or having the crappy ones the ipad 2 came with) have less space (prob only 8 gig) and you'll have an inferior screen compared to the nexus (i doubt it will come with a retina display, it will more than likely have the ipad2's screen.)

you could argue the apps are better, and i'd agree there is more of them, but to me the only thing that would make me opt for an ipad mini would be infinity blade. they port that over to android and i wouldnt really long for any idevice anymore. now mb pros are a different story.

at any rate, even at the ipad mini's cheaper price, i'd still say the nexus7 is a superior buy

good for the android community but I have the macbook pro and the iphone already, switching ecosystems would be a pain...I had android before (G1(twice), Motorola CLIQ, HTC Hero, EVO 4G) and the build quality was so bad across all manufacturers.. if it wasnt the battery, it was the antenna. I can say that the devices are looking sharper and the android OS is getting better throughout time...if the iPad Mini doesnt drop this year then ill try the Nexus 7 just to see how far android has matured

As an owner of both the Nexus 7 and the new iPad, i would recommend the iPad. I'm saying this from a graphic designer's perspective who relies on features such as the larger retina display, and AT&T's 4G LTE connectivity (available here in San Fran).

so this is the Lil Crapple corner of this site huh! this is where most of the pretentious Crapple owners come and stroke themselves to an Apple nirvana and fill your petit brains with enough Crapple pompous material to fill your Lil Crapple fan boy hearts... good luck with your future Crapple since your brain and creator is now resting in the iCloud... this is the dawn of Android punks ! don't worry we'll make use of that Pad of yours when it gets run over by Nexus not to mention the embarrassment of desperate creation you call a mini. I will spit on the grave of its worthless hardware.